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Pfaueninsel and Pfaueninsel Palace Comments
Nikolskoerweg 14109 Berlin ZEHLENDORF Phone: 0331 – 96 94 202 www.spsg.deAbout
"An image from my childhood springs to mind like a fairytale: a palace, peacocks sitting up on a high branch or fanning out their tails, fountains, shady lawns, winding paths running in all directions, but leading nowhere in particular ..." – this is how Theodor Fontane once enthused about Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island), tucked away on the Havel river in the south-west of Berlin. One and a half kilometres long and half a kilometre wide, the island can only be reached by ferry and was turned into a nature conservation area in 1924. As you stroll around, you'll see a number of free-roaming peacocks. Together with other palaces in Potsdam and Berlin the island and the palace are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Clearly visible from afar, the white palace on Pfaueninsel was built by Friedrich Wilhelm II in 1794-97. It was designed as the crowning centrepiece at the end of a sweeping vista in the New Garden – as well as a place for the king to relax after his boat trips and spend the night with his beloved Wilhelmine Encke. The palace is characterised by its two circular towers, which are linked by a wrought-iron bridge to create the illusion of a medieval castle. Park of the Pfaueninsel There are a number of other buildings set in the stunning landscaped gardens of Peacock Island – e.g. the Luise temple, the ruins of Meierei abbey and the neo-gothic Kavaliershaus. The latter was used in the 1960s as the setting for several Edgar Wallace films, including The Door with Seven Locks, The Return of the Hexer and The Monster of Blackwood Castle. Besides the peacocks walking around and showing off their gorgeous feathers, you can also watch woodpeckers and cormorants or listen to frog concerts. In summer, the island is also home to four water buffaloes that help gardeners to mow the wetland. Archaeological finds reveal that Peacock Island has been inhabited for around 2,500 years. Centuries later, a rabbit farm and a glass maker’s hut were found here. From the city centre, Pfaueninsel is best reached by S-Bahn, then taking a bus and ferry from Wannsee Station (the crossing costs €2). Because of the protected flora and fauna, dogs and bicycles are not allowed on the island. Operating hours of the ferry: November till February: Mon - Sun: 10am - 4pm March and October: Mon - Sun: 9am - 6pm April and September: Mon - Sun: 9am - 7pm Mai and August: Mo - So: 8am - 9pm Information about UNESCO World Heritage in Berlin besucherzentrumspsg [dot] de Castle entrance: 3.00 euros 2.50 euros Reduced (plus € 2.00, € 1.00 reduced rate for the ferry to the island) * Guided tours only. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time each A gem on the River Havel Church with landing stage An Italian dream Memorial at Kleiner Wannsee Cultivated golfing Golf in and around Berlin The classic one! Memorial and Educational Site Max Liebermann’s Castle by the lake History and art near the "agent’s bridge" For boat tours, sightseeing bus tours, attractions, museums and more. Book tickets online 4 Nights for the Price of 3. Incl. Breakfast and Berlin WelcomeCard. From hostels through luxury hotels: Find your hotel in Berlin with our best-price guarantee. Save up to 300€ on your next trip to Berlin! Incl. 200 discount offers, city map and free public... Explore Berlin! The package includes: 1 overnight stay incl. breakfast, the Berlin WelcomeCard... Subscribe here to the monthly free e-newsletter and stay informed about latest news and seasonal tips!
